USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Donner Party, sometimes called the Donner–Reed Party, was a group of American pioneers who migrated to California in a wagon train from the Midwest. Delayed by a multitude of mishaps, they spent the winter of 1846–1847 snowbound in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Detailed explanation-2: -They included George Donner, unable to travel due to a gangrenous leg, and his wife, Tamsen, who refused to leave his side. Lewis Keseberg, a 32-year-old German immigrant who had been traveling with his family and already reportedly eaten two children, also remained behind.

Detailed explanation-3: -Virginia Reed and the other members of the Donner-Reed Party had been suckered into a supposed shortcut to California that had led them to disaster. Hastings Cutoff, as it was known, was briefly touted as a better way for pioneers to get to Cal-even though its main promoter had never traveled the treacherous route.

Detailed explanation-4: -Reed’s rescue party was able to evacuate 17 people, including Reed’s own family and most of the Donner family. “I can’t overemphasize the importance of James Reed, ” says Wallis. “If it wasn’t for Reed, the rest of the Donner Party would have died.”

Detailed explanation-5: -Only two families survived the Donner Party without losing a single member: the Breens, who refused to share their supplies with others, and the Reeds.